Garissa

 

Silhouette of Tree Near Body of Water during Golden Hour

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12 April 2019

“Garissa”

gasp What was that noise?! Why so much commotion?!
It’s exam day! Why is the hall rampant with motion?!
       What time is is anyway? sigh It’s 5:30.
My roommate lifts her head. “Hey girl. What’s all that noise?”
“I don’t know!” I’m becoming concerned and losing poise.
       “Was that a distant scream?!” Frame becoming unsturdy.

Our friend bursts through the door – face twisted in horror.
“They’re killing us!” We hear the thunder of AK claps from door.
       Looking in each other’s youthful eyes; panic!
We leap from beds and slip on shoes,
Ripping the curtain down, room fills with red hues.
       Desperation! Opening the window; frantic!

Our friend goes first, leaping to the ground,
Tears filling eyes with rising deathly sounds,
       My roommate held my hand then leapt,
As a masked man burst into the room,
Grabbing me in a flash, dragged by hair, before I could zoom;
       I wish this was a nightmare dreamt.

My friends scream, cry; with no recourse, sprint to gate,
With others, drug outside, laid face down. Our fate?!
       Is this a joke or a ransom? Could it be a heist?
“We are god’s men from the group of Striving Youth!
We are looking for Christians. No harm if you tell truth!” tears, whimpers
       My family..friends…life…My spirit leaps within; I yell “Jesus Ch… … …

© Joshua Curtis, 2019


This is a historical fiction poem from the massacre that took place at Garissa University College in Kenya in April 2015. I hope – and pray – that I honor those killed. I am detached from that culture, so it is written more so from the emotion that may have been happening at that moment. Why this situation in particular? Just felt drawn to do so.

My desire is to honor the many martyrs of the Christian faith that are being killed daily around the world. They are giving their lives for the truth of Christ, while many of us in the the West sit back and argue about his character and if his Word is reality. This isn’t good enough!

My hope is that this isn’t offensive, particularly to any Kenyan’s or their culture. If so, just know it is from ignorance and not intention. Please forgive me. My intention is of honor.

Below is a song by J. Monty in his honor to many martyrs as well (from 2015). The witnesses of martyrs are compelling and convicting. This is not saying Christianity is the only religion to be persecuted. However, as a Christian, I wanted to do my part to honor my fellow Christians that are under pressure, or that have paid the ultimate price for their (our) belief. Blessings to all!

Video:
https://youtu.be/tX72GjEj350

 

In addition:

Published in: on 7 PMpFri, 12 Apr 2019 20:46:38 -040046Friday 2016 at 8:46 pm  Comments (4)  
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